The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 40th anniversary celebration in Los Angeles was nothing short of legendary. On November 8, 2025, the Peacock Theater pulsed with the energy of decades of musical innovation, as the Hall welcomed a new class of inductees: Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Cyndi Lauper, OutKast, Soundgarden, and The White Stripes. The ceremony, streamed on Disney+ and set to air as a highlights special on ABC on January 1, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET, brought together icons, newcomers, and fans for a night that honored both the history and future of rock and roll.
From the outset, the event was packed with powerhouse performances and heartfelt tributes, underscoring the profound impact these artists have had on music and culture. According to Billboard, the night was particularly charged with emotion as Soundgarden was inducted posthumously for frontman Chris Cornell, alongside his bandmates Matt Cameron, Ben Shepherd, Kim Thayil, and Hiro Yamamoto. The band’s legacy was celebrated with stirring performances and deeply personal remembrances.
One of the evening’s most moving moments came when Toni Cornell, Chris Cornell’s daughter, took the stage with Heart’s Nancy Wilson to perform Soundgarden’s 1995 single “Fell on Black Days.” Toni, just 21, later reflected on Instagram about the weight and honor of paying tribute to her father: “Soundgarden belonged in the Rock Hall from the day they started making their revolutionary music. A huge congratulations to Matt, Kim, Ben, and Hiro, and especially to my dad, who should have been here to share this moment with his bandmates. I know how proud he is.”
She went on to express gratitude for the opportunity to perform: “Performing was one of the greatest honors of my life, and one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. My dad’s absence is always felt, but singing his songs always makes me feel closer to him. I’m so grateful I got to share this moment for him, and with him, in some way.” Toni’s emotional post included snapshots from the induction night and childhood memories of watching her father on stage, painting a vivid picture of how Soundgarden’s journey shaped her own life.
The tributes to Soundgarden didn’t end there. Taylor Momsen, lead singer of The Pretty Reckless, delivered a searing rendition of “Rusty Cage,” while Brandi Carlile and Momsen joined forces for an electrifying performance of “Black Hole Sun.” Carlile, herself a Seattle native, paid homage to the band’s roots and the late Chris Cornell. “Growing up, they were the coolest and most musically complex band to come out of Seattle,” she said, according to People. “Not to mention they had an absolute rock star singer who could sing from the floor to the ceiling. So much so that one of the interesting things I’ve seen since sweet Chris left us is that a lot of the people who have been able to adequately tribute Chris have been women, because it’s so difficult to sing him.”
The celebration was not limited to grunge royalty. The night also recognized the trailblazing work of Salt-N-Pepa, who were awarded the Influence Award for their pioneering role as women in hip-hop. Sandra “Pepa” Denton expressed the group’s gratitude: “To stand here today is such a prestigious award.” Cheryl “Salt” James added, “It’s like the cherry on top of the cake,” while Deidra “DJ Spinderella” Roper noted, “We put in a lot of work, and sometimes it was like the struggle was real.” Fans of the group have cause for excitement—Salt-N-Pepa confirmed plans for a reunion tour, loosely set for 2026.
The evening’s performances paid homage to the genre’s diversity and ongoing evolution. Maxwell joined Stevie Wonder, Leon Thomas, Beck, Flea, and Jennifer Hudson for a rousing tribute to Sly Stone. Maxwell’s enthusiasm was infectious as he told People, “It’s Sly Stone. I mean, he had women on stage, he had female musicians, he had white folks, he had black folks. He was the future on stage and in music. We’re going to take you higher!”
Questlove, who directed a documentary on Sly Stone, spoke about the complexities behind musical genius. “Sly is the first music I ever heard in my life—it’s in my DNA,” he shared. “I wanted to do a film about why innovators, these gods we hold up in the light, sometimes self-sabotage. It’s more about the human side of them.” Questlove also gave fans a peek at his next passion project, a documentary on Earth, Wind & Fire, describing it as “the study of metaphysics—when we sing their hooks, we’re singing affirmations.”
Janelle Monáe, another highlight of the night, honored OutKast with a heartfelt tribute, crediting the duo for paving the way for her own artistry. “They showed me the blueprint so I could make the you-print,” Monáe said. “I could cry thinking about what they’ve contributed to music and how much they’ve inspired me.”
Cyndi Lauper, one of the year’s most celebrated inductees, seemed almost incredulous at her own journey. “The fact that I made a living by singing. Can you believe it?” she remarked, as quoted by People. Lauper’s induction, alongside OutKast, The White Stripes, and Soundgarden, marked a significant moment in music history, as these artists joined the pantheon of the Hall’s most esteemed and beloved acts, according to The Guardian.
Behind the scenes, the ceremony was a vibrant mix of nostalgia and forward-looking optimism. For some, like Toni Cornell, the night was a chance to reflect on personal and collective history. She recalled, “I was six years old when Soundgarden reunited. My brother and I were lucky to see small pieces of that moment unfold, not realizing we were witnessing something historic.” Toni’s memories of her father’s band reuniting in 2010 and her experiences growing up around music highlighted the enduring nature of the Hall of Fame’s influence.
As the evening drew to a close, the sense of legacy was palpable. The induction of these artists served as a reminder that rock and roll is not just a genre, but a living, breathing force that continues to inspire, challenge, and unite. As Toni Cornell poignantly wrote, “Daddy, you are beloved and your music will forever change people’s lives. Long live Soundgarden.”
The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony not only honored the past but also set the stage for the future, proving that the spirit of rock and roll is as vibrant and relevant as ever.
